The School Project

BOB HERCULES, MEDIA PROCESS EDUCATIONAL FILMS

In 2013, Chicago Public Schools announced that an unprecedented 49 neighborhood schools would be permanently closed. A team of documentary filmmakers began following affected families and educators, policymakers, and advocates as the closures unfolded and their stories became a jumping-off point for exploring so many urgent questions facing public education today. The School Project uses an interactive map, documentary video, news coverage, and conversation to deepen our understanding of how these issues are unfolding across Chicago.

The project is a collaboration between Media Process Educational Films, Siskel/Jacobs Productions, Kartemquin Films, the Kindling Group, and Free Spirit Media, with additional involvement of the Chicago Sun-Times, WTTW, and freelancers Rachel Dickson and Melissa Sterne.